By Jim Dower: Number #1 ranked WBA contender Brandon Rios (26-0-1, 19 KO’s) faces WBA lightweight champion Miguel Acosta (28-3-2, 22 KO’s) this Saturday on February 26th at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a big step up for the 24-year-old Rios from the guys that he’s been facing since he turned pro in seven years ago in 2004.

Acosta, 32, is fighting at a very high level with wins over Urbano Antillon, Paulus Moses and Armando Cordoba in the past two years. This is Acosta at his very best and it’s going to be tough for Rios to get a win against this guy unless he fights the perfect fight. Rios recently defeated Omri Lowther, Anthony Peterson and Jorge Luis Teron, all very good fighters but not in the same class as Acosta.

Rios is going to have to fight at an ever higher level if he wants to beat Acosta because he’s going to be getting countered all night long. Rios will likely have the power advantage in this fight but it might not mean much if he keeps getting tagged each time he throws a shot. Rios isn’t going to be able to run over Acosta the same way he did with Anthony Peterson. Rios is going to have to be slick and show some smart boxing moves if he wants to get out of this fight with a victory.

Acosta really opened some eyes with his 9th round stoppage win over Antillon in July 2009. That was a shock for many boxing fans, but it was more of a case of Acosta showing the world what he’s capable of. Rios could find himself in the same boat as Antillon if he tries to stand and trade with Acosta all night long.